lip

noun \ ˈlip \

Definition of lip

1 :either of two fleshy folds that surround the mouth in humans and many other vertebrates and are organs of human speech essential to certain articulations; also :the red or pinkish margin of the human lip

2 slang :back talk

3 a :a fleshy edge or margin (as of a wound)

b :labium

c :labellum 1

d :a limb of a labiate corolla

4 a :the edge of a hollow vessel or cavity

b :a projecting edge: such as

(1) :the beveled upper edge of the mouth of an organ flue pipe

(2) :the sharp cutting edge on the end of a tool (such as an auger)

(3) :a short spout (as on a pitcher)

c :edge 2

5 :embouchure

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lipless

play \ˈlip-ləs\ adjective

—

liplike

play \ˈlip-ˌlīk\ adjective

See lip defined for English-language learners

See lip defined for kids

Examples of lip in a Sentence

He had a cut on his lip.
She was nervously biting her lip.
the lips of a wound
the lip of a crater
the lip of a pitcher

Recent Examples of lip from the Web

Lots of chefs give the farm-to-table philosophy lip service;

— andrew knowlton, Bon Appetit, "Kemuri Tatsu-Ya Is the #8 Best New Restaurant in America 2017," 15 Aug. 2017
Cersei chained the latter two up in the dungeon, put on that special Westeros lip poison, smooched the daughter, and lit the place up so the mother had to watch the kid die.

— dave holmes, Esquire, "Westeros at the Watercooler: Game of Thrones Must Have an Awkward Sex Scene Every Week," 31 July 2017
Her lips lack definition, perhaps the result of her body’s deterioration.

— elaine sciolino, The Seattle Times, "At a family workshop near Paris, the ‘drowned Mona Lisa’ death mask lives on," 20 July 2017
During the national anthem, Pienaar bit his lip so hard that blood trickled down his chin.

— matt giles, longreads.com, "Remembering Nelson Mandela’s Contribution to Sports," 19 July 2017
Randy Tucker/Wochit One of Cincinnati's most celebrated pitmasters is serving music on the side of his lip-smackin' barbecue with his latest business venture, Herzog Music.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "Eli's owner to open record store, music space downtown in historic building," 17 July 2017
In cats, symptoms can be nasal discharge, congestion, lethargy, lip smacking and excessive salivation.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Highly contagious dog flu outbreak reaches Louisville Metro Animal Services," 14 July 2017
At-Home Beauty Service Those who covet flawless red lips or fierce French tips but lack the skill to pull them off will appreciate GlamSquad, a service that delivers experts in hair, makeup, and manis to your door.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
Only momentary lip failure on the part of the solo trumpet marred the band’s full-blooded reading.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Gifted Arab-American classical musicians get forum they deserve at Grant Park," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lip.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lip

Middle English, from Old English lippa; akin to Old High German leffur lip and probably to Latin labium, labrum lip

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

lip

adjective

Definition of lip

1 :insincere

lip praise

2 :produced with the participation of the lips :labial

lip consonants

Examples of lip in a Sentence

part of the ritual of the awards ceremony is the nominee's lip praise for the performances of his or her competitors

Recent Examples of lip from the Web

Pundits and the public have expressed fear that the contrast between the stiff-upper-lip tradition of the monarchy and their mother's spontaneous, emotionally open style could have a devastating effect on the boys, particularly at this time.

— jennifer amur, Washington Post, "How Britain and the world mourned Diana, the ‘People’s Princess,’ over 8 days in 1997," 31 Aug. 2017
The duo have shown their appreciation for one another before through eyeshadow (like the time Ashley named one after Vanessa), eyeliner (like the time Vanessa paid homage to Ashley's turquoise liner and bronzy lids combo), and now, lip gloss.

— sarah wu, Teen Vogue, "Vanessa Hudgens Uses Ashley Tisdale's Lip Gloss as Eyeshadow," 1 Aug. 2017
Every coach that’s recruiting you gives you lip service, right?

— adam jude, The Seattle Times, "Huskies’ recruiting class in rare territory with top quarterbacks Jacob Sirmon, Colson Yankoff," 21 July 2017
Also, catch Queerwolves, Double Pretty, The Gay Mafia, L.A. ensemble Triumph, a host of local performers plus a lip sync battle.

— cynthia zanone, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Quick wits at Impride comedy fest this weekend," 5 July 2017
But the bone broth is the draw; choose chicken or beef, both respectably gamy and lip-coating.

— molly young, Bon Appetit, "13 Places to Eat Healthyish in NYC," 22 June 2017
Age range: There’s something lip-smackin’ for everyone. Don’t miss: The cupcakes on the counter.

— jessica yadegaran, The Mercury News, "Top 5 family-friendly ways to play in Stockton," 18 June 2017
And maybe women who only want to carry lip gloss and a debit card can manage with the cutest of tiny purses.

— amanda walker, AL.com, "The thieves seem to be winning in Wilcox County," 9 June 2017
Garcetti and Los Angeles’ leverage increases if Bach and the IOC pay more than just lip service to its Agenda 2020 reforms, Matheson said.

— scott reid, Orange County Register, "Eric Garcetti and L.A.’s 2024 Olympics bid: Tested this week by IOC," 7 May 2017

First Known Use of lip

1558

lip Synonyms

Synonyms

artificial, backhanded, counterfeit, double, double-dealing, double-faced, fake, feigned, hypocritical, Janus-faced, jive [slang], left-handed, insincere, mealy, mealymouthed, Pecksniffian, phony (also phoney), phony-baloney (or phoney-baloney), pretended, two-faced, unctuous

Antonyms

artless, candid, genuine, heartfelt, honest, sincere, undesigning, unfeigned

Related Words

affected, assumed, claptrap, contrived, forced, mechanical, put-on, simulated, strained, unnatural; empty, hollow, meaningless; deceitful, devious, dishonest, false, untruthful; facile, glib, superficial; bogus, sham; campy, facetious, jocular, tongue-in-cheek; canting, pharisaical, pious, sanctimonious, self-righteous, simon-pure

Near Antonyms

direct, forthright, frank, heart-to-heart, open, plain, straightforward

lip

verb

Definition of lip

lipped; lipping

transitive verb

1 :to touch with the lips; especially :kiss

2 :utter

3 :to lap against :lick

4 :to hit (a putt) so that the ball hits the edge of the cup but fails to drop in —usually used with out

intransitive verb

:to hit the edge of the cup without dropping in —used with out

the putt lipped out

Examples of lip in a Sentence

the waves, reflecting the red glow of the sunset, gently lipped the prow

Recent Examples of lip from the Web

The FBI’s counterterrorism team and the chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s national security unit are handling the case, though the government is being tight-lipped about what's at stake.

— tresa baldas, Detroit Free Press, "Ypsi dad jailed in national security case, but feds won't say if he's a terror threat," 29 Aug. 2017
Or will spoiler-phobe Jonathan Nolan keep the cast tight-lipped about the mysteries of its sophomore drama?

— lesley goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Comic-Con: What to Watch for on Saturday," 22 July 2017
Then another was heard when Langer’s 6-footer for bogey lipped out.

— don markus, baltimoresun.com, "Scott McCarron rallies from six shots back to edge Bernhard Langer at Constellation Senior Players," 16 July 2017
Sasha, who never had to lip sync for her life during the season, soared when challenged in the final two rounds of lip syncing.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Who won?," 23 June 2017
Must-have beauty products in your makeup bag: Clenziderm skin series, Laura Mercier, blush, concealer, powder, Mac eye pallet, plus mascara, lip gloss and lotions.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Sacred Heart grad: Nothing is more fashionable than 'fit and healthy'," 22 June 2017
Makeup provides a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, especially liquids like foundation, mascara, and lip gloss.

— dr. manny alvarez, Fox News, "The damaging effects of makeup on teens," 16 June 2017
His chip raced past the hole, leaving him with a 4-foot putt for par, which lipped out.

— damian dottore, Orange County Register, "Anaheim Discovery Christian golf ends first varsity season with trip to state championship," 25 May 2017
Nothing could stop her: Not 100-degree heat, bone-chilling cold or a bad fall that left her lip bloody and her leg swollen and bruised.

— sarah gish, kansascity.com, "Wonder woman: Meet the KC grandma who ran 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents," 12 May 2017

First Known Use of lip

1589

lip Synonyms

Synonyms

bathe, lap, lave, wash, splash

Related Words

bubble, gurgle, plash, ripple, slosh

lip-

combining form

variants: or lipo-

Definition of lip-

:fat :fatty tissue :fatty

lipoid

lipoprotein

Origin and Etymology of lip-

New Latin, from Greek, from lipos — more at leave

LIP Defined for English Language Learners

lip

noun

Definition of lip for English Language Learners

: either one of the two soft parts that surround the mouth
: the edge of a cut or hole
: the edge of a container especially where it is slightly spread out

LIP Defined for Kids

lip

noun \ ˈlip \

Definition of lip for Students

1 :either of the two folds of flesh that surround the mouth

2 :the edge of a hollow container (as a jar) especially where it is slightly spread out

3 :an edge (as of a wound) like or of flesh

4 :an edge that sticks out

the lip of a roof

—

lipped

\ˈlipt\ adjective

Medical Dictionary

lip

noun \ ˈlip \

medical Definition of lip

1 :either of the two fleshy folds which surround the opening of the mouth in humans and many other vertebrates and in humans are organs of speech essential to certain articulations; also :the pinkish or reddish margin of a human lip composed of nonglandular mucous membrane and usually exposed when the mouth takes on its natural set

2 :an edge of a wound

3 :either of a pair of fleshy folds surrounding an orifice

4 :an anatomical part or structure (as a labium) resembling a lip

—

liplike

play \ˈlip-ˌlīk\ adjective

Learn More about lip

See words that rhyme with lip Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lip Spanish Central: Translation of lip Nglish: Translation of lip for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lip for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lip

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lip

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lip

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lip-

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Origin and Etymology of lip-

LIP Defined for English Language Learners

lip

Definition of lip for English Language Learners

LIP Defined for Kids

lip

Definition of lip for Students

lipped

Medical Dictionary

lip

medical Definition of lip

liplike

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